Overview

Across the pass toward Mount Sniktau

I venture to guess that a lot of people visit the summit of this peak unaware they are standing on the summit of one of the highest 1,000 peaks in Colorado. Resting quietly astride the Continental Divide, UN 12585 guards the southwest end of Loveland Pass (11990 feet / 3655 meters), and the views from the top of this mountain are stunning.

Immediately across the pass is the ridge containing Mount Sniktau and Grizzly Peak and the tops of the dual Fourteeners Torreys Peak and Grays Peak pop out from behind this ridge. Further south, Lenawee Mountain creates a formidable backdrop to A-basin. The eye can follow the Continental Divide westward from this summit for quite a while. To the north-northeast, Hager Mountain, “The Citadel” and Pettingell Peak beckon. No fewer than four Colorado ski areas are visible from the top of this peak: Arapaho Basin, Keystone, Loveland and Copper Mountain.

Getting There

LOVELAND PASS (Standard Route)

From the East:Drive west on Interstate 70. As you approach the Eisenhower Tunnel, take the exit for Loveland Pass. The exit channels you under the highway. Go right and take Highway 6 past the Loveland Ski Area and follow the road to the top of Loveland Pass and park.

From the West:Take I-70 through the Eisenhower Tunnel. Just beyond the tunnel, take the Loveland Pass exit, make a hard right, passing the Loveland Ski Area entrance and go to the top of Loveland Pass and park. You can also take Highway 6 from Dillon through Keystone resort to the top of Loveland Pass.

Weather & Seasons

- Many peak hikers purposely save Loveland Pass area peaks as a winter trip, in part due to their accessibility even in snow season. Check the weather and avalanche conditions before heading out, however. The winds on these ridgelines can be relentlessly brutal, and the cornices don't suffer fools.
- In the summer, the Loveland Pass area peaks are a nice place to cool off and enjoy the mountain air with minimal effort.

For updated weather conditions, 9News has a webcam set up near the Eisenhower tunnel, just a mile or two from UN 12585.

Camping & Lodging

Toward Grizzly Peak

Toward A-Basin

Many (most?) folks aspiring to summit this peak will do so either as a resident of or visitor to one of the Front Range metropolitan areas (such as Denver, Colorado Springs, Fort Collins or Boulder), and thus few will need overnight lodging.

Camping: Camping in the area is very limited and there is no campground in Loveland Pass.

Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts: The nearby town of Georgetown has a few hotels, B&Bs and inns to choose from. Visit this TripAdvisor page for more information on lodging in the area.

Images

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